Spanish word

archipiélago

Pronunciation

IPA/aɾtʃiˈpjelaɣo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounarchipelago

Example

¿Has visitado el archipiélago del Caribe?

Have you visited the Caribbean archipelago?

Illustration for archipiélago (archipelago)

More examples

El archipiélago está formado por islas volcánicas.

The archipelago is formed by volcanic islands.

Core concept

Cluster of islands located near each other that together make one geographic area.

Common phrases

  • archipiélago formado por

    archipelago formed by

  • archipiélago habitado

    inhabited archipelago

  • archipiélago deshabitado

    uninhabited archipelago

Similar words

isla: One piece of land that is surrounded by water.
islote: A tiny island that is often too small for habitation.
cadena de islas: Islands that are arranged in a continuous line or arc.
grupo de islas: Several islands close together that are regarded collectively.

Definition in Spanish

Conjunto de islas próximas entre sí que forman una unidad geográfica.

Word origin

From Greek ἀρχι- 'chief' + πέλαγος 'sea', entered Spanish through medieval Latin archipelagus and came to mean a main cluster of islands.

Usage tips

  • The written accent on the e (archipiélago) marks the stressed syllable, and in casual talk most speakers simply say islas.

Other meanings

  • island groupnoun
  • island chainnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • archipielágicoarchipelagicadjective
  • archipielágicamentearchipelagicallyadverb

Word lists with this word